Road win keeps Eagles on their unbeaten track

April 28, 1994|By Katherine Dunn | Katherine Dunn,Sun Staff Writer

Centennial's tennis team survived the greatest threat to its unbeaten season last week, winning 5-4 at Mount Hebron.

Last year, the Vikings upset Centennial by the same score, ending a winning streak that stretched back a couple of years. But this time, the Eagles' No. 2 boys and girls doubles teams posted the final wins of the day for a come-from-behind $l Centennial victory.

The two teams meet again on May 4, but Vikings coach Cliff Bernstein said it seems unlikely that the Vikings could win at Centennial because the strategy of Howard County tennis heavily favors the home team.

Even though every match includes four singles, four doubles and a mixed doubles match, the home team's coach can scramble the lineups of seven boys and seven girls into the singles and doubles matchups that should benefit his own team.

"It's always more advantageous to be the home team," said Bernstein. "[Eagles coach Bill Shook] knows all my players now and he knows our weaknesses and strengths. The fact that he won away puts him in a really advantageous position for the home match. I don't rule out the possibility that we can win at their place, but it's going to be very difficult."

In last week's match, the county's top girl and boy players posted victories to keep their singles records untarnished.

Mount Hebron lacrosse players Cathy Nelson and Nicole McGowan have made college commitments.

Highly recruited Nelson will receive a full scholarship to play for Maryland next year. An All-Metro attack player, she currently is tied for the Howard County scoring lead with 48 points.

McGowan, a versatile midfielder, plans to play at Delaware.

These latest commitments bring to 12 the number of P.J. Kesmodel's Vikings who have received scholarships to play Division I lacrosse since the sport began in Howard County seven years ago. Last year, five Vikings earned Division I scholarships.

Eagles' best to Temple

Centennial's Katrina Wolfe, Howard County's Player of the Year in field hockey, has committed to play at Temple next fall.

An All-Metro midfielder who also plays lacrosse, Wolfe will receive a substantial scholarship. She plans to study physical education and eventually coach field hockey.